Amusement device for infants



Nov. 24, 1942.

M. E. MURRAY ETAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR INFANTS Filed April 17, 1942 gl zzm Patented Nov. 24-, 1942 AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR INFANTS Mary E. Murray and Theodore R. Murray, Hagerstown, Md.

Application April 17, 1942, Serial No. 439,418

4 Claims.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in amusement devices for infants.

An important object of our invention is to provide an amusement device for infants that may be easily and expeditiously applied to an infants crib and that includes a teething ring which, in

addition to its practical application, cooperates with the rest of the organization in amusing and entertaining the infant. Another object of our invention is the provision character that is adapted to be applied to the crib in a manner to promote the comfort of the infant in that the teething ring will be easily accessible at all times but will not interfere with ,lfi of an amusement device of the above-mentioned the actions or movements of the infant during such times as he does not wish to make use of the same.

Still another object of our invention is the provision of an amusement device of the abovementioned character that includes a toy figure adapted to be struck by the teething ring upon release of the same by the infant, the impingement of the ring against the figure causing the same to make a noise thereby amusing the infant.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a front elevation of a device embodying our invention, and showing the same associated with an infants crib or the like,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of our device,

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the same,

Figure 4 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detachable clip member embodying a part of our invention,

and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another clip member embodying a part of our invention.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of our invention, the numerals l and II designate the spaced parallel top rails of an infant's crib to-which our device is adapted to be applied. The numeral l2 designates a toy figure, here illustrated as a frog; however, it is to be understood that the figure may assume any form desired and that the figure of a frog is here shown merely for the purpose of illustration. The figure is supported by spaced parallel elastic bands 13 and M, the opposite ends of which are secured to the rails l0 and H by the clip members l and s. A teething ring n is pendently supported 'from'the'figure l2 by means of the elastic strap orband l8 and a noisemaker, here illustrated as a bell i9, is carried by the figure. Pulling of the teething ring ll will stretch the elastic bands l3, l4 and I8 to rock the figure l2 and release of the teething ring will effect an oscillatory movement of the figure by impingement of the ring thereagainst. The rocking or oscillatory movement of the figure will sound the bell or other noisemaker it to the extreme delight and amusement of the infant.

While we have here illustrated the device as transversely bridging the. upper rails of an infants crib, it is to be understood that it may be applied to a chair or other supporting object with equal facility.

The clip member l5 maybe fashioned from a suitable piece of wire,'or like material, and is preferably formed with a crossbar 2b of a length equal to the desired space or distance between the straps I3 and M. The bar 2i] is formed with loops 2| and 22 at its opposite ends which receive the ends of the straps l3 and [4. The ends of the wire extend inwardly from the loops in spaced parallel relation with the crossbar 26 and are twisted together substantially intermediate the loops, as at 23. The portion of the wire beyond the twisted portion 23 is outwardly divergent and fashioned into a loop formation 24 which is bent back upon itself to define a suitable hook means. The loops 2| and 22 will obviously hold the straps in fixed relation with each other and prevent twisting of the same during the oscillating movement of the figure.

The clip l6 similarly includes a crossbar 25 of substantially the same length as the crossbar 20, said bar being formed with loops 26 and 2'! at its opposite ends adapted to receive the ends of the elastic straps l3 and [4. The portions 28 and 29 of the wire which extend from the loops are disposed in substantially parallel relation with the crossbar 25 and are formed at the juncture thereof into a semi-circular protuberance 38].

In practice the hooked loop 24 of the clip I5 is detachably engaged with the rail it and the tie.

elements 3i are attached to the clip i6 and to the rail I l in a manner to tautly stretch the elastic straps i3 and 14 between the rails l0 and H of the crib.

The device is preferably applied to the crib in a manner whereby the teething ring I! will be pendently supported in clos proximity to the hands of the infant. The ring should be spaced a sufficient distance above the infant so as not to interfere with his normal movements or actions, but should be sufficiently close so that the infant may readily reach the same when he desires to do so. As the infant pulls th ring toward him he will stretch the band l8 and straps I3 and I4 and rock the toy figure l2 in the direction from which the pull is exerted. Upon release of the ring by the infant the combined resilient actions of th straps l3, l4 and IE will cause the ring to impinge with substantial force against the figure to effect an oscillatory movement of the same and to effect the ringing of the bell I9, or the sounding of any noisemaker carried by the figure and the alternate expansion and contraction of the straps will thereafter perpetuate ethe oscillatory movement of the figure for a substantial length of time.

It may thus be seen that the teething ring will always be readily accessible to the infantwhenhe desires to use the same but that the positioning of the ring may be expeditiously controlled so that the same will in no Way interfere with the movements "of"the"infa'nt. In addition tothe above utility the device""will affordth infant a "great dealofpleasure'and amusement.

It istobe'uriderstoodthat'the form of our invention, 'her'ewithshown'and described is to be taken as'a preferred example ofthe same, and thatwario'us changes in the'size, shape and arrangement of "partsm'aybe resorted towithout "departing"from"the spirit of our invention, or

scope of the appended claims.

Having thusflescribed ourinven'tion; we claim: 1. Anam'usenient 'device comprising a resilient supporting"memberhaving spaced parallel parts at least one endbf'which'parts is fixedly held'to prevent twisting of the same about each other, a noisema'ker rockably supported in bridging relaa'rocking or oscillatory'movement of the said noisemaker by alternate stretching of the parallel parts.

2. An amusement device for infants comprising a noisemaker rockably supported above an infants crib, a teething ring, and an elastic strap pendently supporting the ring from the noisemaker, whereby pulling of the ring will efiect a stretching of the said strap to rock the noisemaker and release of the ring will cause an oscillatory movement of :the noisemakerby impingement of the ring thereagainst.

3. An amusement device for infants comprising spaced parallel elastic supporting straps adapted totransversely bridge an infants crib at leastrone end .of which straps is fixedly held to prevent twisting of the same about each other, a toy figure rockably supported in bridging rela- "tion across the straps, a ring, and an elastic strap pendently supporting the ring from the figure, whereby pulling of the ring will effect a stretching of the'straps'and release of the ring will cause an impingement of' th ring against the figure to efiect an oscillatory movement thereof by alternate stretching andcontracting of th 'straps.

4. Anamusement device for infants comprisprevent twisting of the same about each other; a

toy figure rockablysupported by the-straps, a ring, an elastic strap 'pendently supporting the ring from thefigure, anda noisemaker carried by the said figureywhereby pulling of the -ring will effect a stretchingof the'strapsand release of the ring will effect-sounding of the'noisemaker' by impingement of the ring" against the said figure andwhereby continued sounding of the noisemaker will be efiected by the oscillatory movement of thefigure caused by alternate stretching and contracting of the said straps.

MARY E. MURRAY. THEODORE R. MURRAY. 

